Michael Briguglio, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, Chairperson, has said, “Whilst it is positive that the Good Causes Fund is used for initiatives like sports, AD queries on what basis funds were given to Nationalist and Labour MEPs Simon Busuttil and Louis Grech, who were given €20,000 to organise Malta Week in the European Parliament. In the past, NGOs were denied access to such funds on the premise that they were ‘political,’ yet the same Fund did not have trouble in granting its limited funds to politicians who already have access to funding for their events. AD is hereby asking on what grounds funds are given to some but denied to others.”

“It is ironic that whilst the Ministry of Finance has no trouble using tax payers money to politicians of its choice, Malta still lacks a proper party financing system. Malta has a free-for-all system as regards donations to political parties and it is more than obvious that this has resulted in a system of political favours. At the same time the state grants funds, at the tune of 100,000 euros each a year, to the Nationalist and Labour Party but is excluding the Green Party.”

Andrè Vella, AD spokesperson for Community Development, said, “The good causes fund should be fully transparent and accountable. We agree that funds should be invested in community initiatives from NGOs, local and sports organisations, civic minded individuals and others, but we disagree that limited funds are given to politicians who already have ample access to public funds.”

Permalink: Good Causes Fund to be transparent & accountable – AD